Article 62

Separate attacks leave 3 hurt, 1 dead
PATANI

The chief of a local mosque in Yaring district was seriously wounded in an attack by a lone gunman last night.

Pol Lt-Col Kowit Pattanachote of Yaring police station said Sakariya Saema, 57, head of Ban Buenaetuero mosque in tambon Takae, was walking home after evening prayers when a man passed by and fired one shot from a handgun to the back of his head.

Mr Sakariya was rushed to Pattani hospital in critical condition.

Earlier yesterday, Pol Sgt Anucha Sakkarasai, 38, of tambon Ratapanyang police station in Yaring district, was shot at while exercising in front of a mosque after work yesterday.

Two .38 bullets hit him in the right arm.

On Friday night, one policeman was killed and his girlfrend wounded in a gun attack by two motorcycle-riding assailants in Yarang district.

Pol L/Cpl Anucha Sirirat, 28, of tambon Ban Sarong police station, was driving a motorcycle with Sukanya Kanthalat, 19, riding pillion along Natkubo road in tambon Khao Tum, when two men approached on another motorcycle and opened fire at them.

The policeman was hit in the temple and Ms Sukanya in the right thigh.